Ministers are physicians.  They are supposed to be among the people.  They are supposed to know the members by name, tend to the sick, and warn the undisciplined of their bad habits.  Knowing the congregation well means visiting the people in their homes. Physicians of the body may have abandoned the practice of house-calls, but the Gospel minister would be wise to continue the practice.

The pulpit is the priority of our ministry, but not the entirety of it.  Pastoral visits provide supplemental help to the formal preaching of the Word:

• House visits demonstrate love to the members of the church, which make them more eager listeners to the Word from a minister who cares.
•  House visits supplement the preaching of the Word by providing opportunities for discussion and questions about the doctrine and applications preached.
• House visits improve the preaching of the Word by helping the minister to understand the needs and spiritual concerns of the congregation.

Richard Baxter taught us centuries ago in The Reformed Pastor that shepherding from the pulpit alone is not sufficient.  The full-orbed faithful ministry should include regular check-ups from the local physician of the soul.  And the wisest physician will diagnose best by visiting his people in their own environment.­­­